Liverpool left-back commits long-term future before sealing Cardiff City loan return

Liverpool left-back will spend another season on loan after the club agreed a return to his former club for 2026/27.

The 21-year-old has rejoined Cardiff City for the upcoming campaign after spending the second half of last season with the Welsh club.

When Andy Robertson put pen to paper on a lucrative free transfer to Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer, it marked the end of a era on Merseyside.

Richard Hughes and the Liverpool hierarchy made the calculated decision to move on from the 32-year-old Scotland captain, opening up a clear path for Milos Kerkez to cement his status as the club’s undisputed first-choice left-back.

Kerkez, secured in a £40m deal from Bournemouth last year, is viewed inside Anfield as the long-term future of the position.

Under head coach Andoni Iraola the Basque tactico taking the reins for his first season in charge the immediate back-up duties will fall to Kostas Tsimikas. Returning from a frustrating loan spell with Roma, the 30-year-old Greek international is set to serve out the final year of his contract as Kerkez’s understudy.

However, with Tsimikas expected to depart next summer, the battle for Liverpool’s future deputy left-back position is already underway and Calum Scanlon has put himself right at the front of the queue.

A new deal and a returning hero in South Wales

The 21-year-old left-sider, who originally joined the Reds' academy setup from Birmingham City back in 2021, has officially signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool.

Fresh off committing his future to Anfield, Scanlon has rejoined Cardiff City on loan for the entire 2026/27 campaign.

"Calum Scanlon has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool and rejoined Cardiff City on loan for the 2026-27 campaign," the club’s official announcement read.

"The left-back agreed fresh terms with the Reds before returning to the Welsh capital for another temporary spell."

Scanlon spent the second half of the 2025/26 season on loan with Brian Barry-Murphy's side, making eight appearances and proving vital as the Bluebirds secured an immediate promotion back to the second tier.

Capable of operating either at full-back or higher up on the wing, the young defender previously gained Championship experience at Millwall, where he memorably scored against the very club he now re-joins.

Cardiff open their Championship comeback on Monday night in a highly anticipated derby against Wrexham, where Scanlon will compete directly with Joel Bagan for a starting spot.

Speaking to CardiffCityTV after finalising his return, Scanlon made it clear he is ready for the challenge ahead:

"I'm ready to go, it's been a positive pre-season getting minutes. It was good for me. My body is ready for the season. I’m grateful for the experience I’ve already had here, and I can’t wait to make new memories.”

Crucially, the decision to secure Calum Scanlon’s long-term future before sanctioning his return to Cardiff City ensures the succession pipeline remains fully stocked. With high-level Championship minutes guaranteed and a clear path into the first-team squad awaiting him next summer,